UPSC Prelims 2009 Q113: Current Affairs – International Organisations & Groupings
Who among the following is the founder of World Economic Forum ?
- (a) Klaus Schwab
- (b) John Kenneth Galbraith
- (c) Robert Zoellick
- (d) Paul Krugman
Answer: (a) Klaus Schwab
Explanation
Who founded the World Economic Forum
This influential global forum was established by a specific economist/academic.
| Option | Verdict | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| (a) Klaus Schwab | Correct | Klaus Schwab, a German economist, founded the World Economic Forum in 1971 |
| (b) John Kenneth Galbraith | Incorrect | A notable economist, but not the WEF's founder |
| (c) Robert Zoellick | Incorrect | Known for his role at the World Bank, not founding WEF |
| (d) Paul Krugman | Incorrect | A Nobel laureate economist, but not the WEF's founder |
World Economic Forum facts:
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| Founder | Klaus Schwab |
| Year founded | 1971 |
Answer: (a) Klaus Schwab.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. Klaus Schwab founded the World Economic Forum in 1971.
- (b) Incorrect. Galbraith is a notable economist, but not WEF's founder.
- (c) Incorrect. Zoellick is linked to the World Bank, not WEF's founding.
- (d) Incorrect. Krugman is a Nobel laureate economist, unrelated to WEF's founding.
Key point
Klaus Schwab founded the World Economic Forum in 1971.
Remember
Klaus Schwab: founder of the World Economic Forum.
Common mistakes
- Confusing Klaus Schwab with other prominent economists (Galbraith, Krugman).
- Mixing up WEF's founding with World Bank-related figures like Zoellick.
- Not knowing the specific 1971 founding of this influential global forum.
Exam tip
World Economic Forum = founded by Klaus Schwab, 1971. A foundational global-institution fact.
Sources
- World Economic Forum — About the Forum: founder and Executive Chairman Klaus Schwab
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — Klaus Schwab